Framework
IWRAW Asia
Pacific's programme is premised on the belief that discrimination
is at the root of all forms of deprivation, and that all rights
are interrelated. As such, we seek to enhance people's control
over the processes through which they can articulate and claim
opportunities; and build their capacity for economic self-reliance,
good health, well-being, and freedom from abuse. This entails
the elimination of discrimination in all fields as well as the
promotion of fundamental freedoms and human rights.
The domestic
implementation of human rights norms requires both enforcement
mechanisms and the creation of a culture that encourages compliance
with human rights principles and standards. The former refers
to the courts and the legal system, which sets standards, appraises
compliance and makes authoritative decisions forcing compliance.
The latter deals with defining, invoking and promoting rights
so that a culture that recognises people's rights and demands
for justice is formed. These two dimensions are mutually reinforcing.
A rights-based
legal framework, however, does not automatically confer rights;
it only legitimises the claims for rights. Instead, women have
to be able to claim their rights and our programme targets this
need. There are many barriers to women claiming their rights.
These may be hostile culture or tradition, a gender bias in the
administration of justice, and many other reasons. It is thus
essential to train and educate women at the same time supporting
them to claim their rights. This can be done by creating the necessary
conditions through standard-setting via international norms and
gender-sensitive enforcement mechanisms.
All of the
above requires a focus on various actors and types of action.
Besides women, there is a need to impact on all branches of government,
legislators, the bureaucracy and the judiciary. Actors within
these include politicians, bureaucrats, law enforcers, prosecutors,
judges, lawyers and others involved in institutions or mechanisms
that monitor and enforce human rights standards.
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IWRAW
Asia Pacific Conceptual and Operational Framework
IWRAW
Asia Pacific's programme is premised on the belief that
before women can access 'real' equality, several conditions
are necessary:
- Standard-setting
at the international level that matches the realities
of women at the local level;
- A
culture of compliance with gender-sensitive human rights
norms;
- Women's
capacity to claim their rights;
- Women
forming a constituency with a strong voice to invoke their
rights, push for political action and create the necessary
political will. This implies the need for capacity-building
and gender-sensitisation for women themselves, and for
those bodies who would put the institutional changes in
place (e.g. judges, lawyers, bureaucrats, and parliamentarians);
- Mechanisms
for enforcement that are gender-sensitive and have the
will to implement the CEDAW Convention; and
- A
mechanism for monitoring the fulfillment of State obligations
under the CEDAW Convention to track the progress in making
equality a reality for women at the domestic level.
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